Influential Woman · GRC Engineering

Ashley Pearce

Senior InfoSec Analyst - Top Secret Clearance, Rise8

Wesley Chapel, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Member GRC Engineering Club - Head of Career Ops

Her Story

About Ashley

With over a decade of experience in the field, I specialize in GRC engineering and security automation. Right now I'm working on CICD pipelines, and we do a lot of automating security features, which is a little unheard of in the software world. Usually security is bolted on at the very end, but we have kind of changed how that process works, and we're integrated with the actual engineering teams to get security strapped in from the start before the actual software is deployed. My work varies depending on the contract I'm on, but currently we're doing a lot of policy as code and compliance as code, and I'm always finding different ways to streamline processes. My most notable professional achievement is my GRC Playground, a platform that I built for aspiring GRC engineers to get hands-on experience with labs. It allows them to go further than the typical GRC theory that a lot of us are taught, and gives them real-world experience, along with a portfolio that they can build upon by completing the labs.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Ashley

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think a lot of it is probably my husband. He's the backbone of everything, and when we have something that we're striving for, we both really support each other through the entire process, even when it gets hard. My entire life revolves around my family, so they come first, and when they are settled and good to go, I get back to my normal app building and security and everything else.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received was probably from A.J. Yon, who is the founder of the GRC Engineering Club. His favorite saying is, the work works, and it really does. You just keep on, and you build out your portfolio, it really does work all on its own.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Don't let the gender bias stop you. It's like the wall that should not exist - break it down. I'm gonna keep rubbing. There is a massive lack of female voices that are speaking out and showing other women that they can do it, and I wanted to be a good influence for my daughter, so one day she could do the same thing.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My entire life revolves around my family. They come first, and when they are settled and good to go, I get back to my normal app building and security and everything else. My values are 100% family-focused.

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